tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90202230365643204262016-09-07T22:27:55.897-06:00........danny, aly, and mister jamesDannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03935090665211108674noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-72196296601211470222015-03-26T18:09:00.000-06:002015-03-26T18:09:37.751-06:00Lorraine's Birth Story<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lorraine's Birth Story</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really feel like I need to go back to James' birth to be at the beginning of Raina's. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James' birth was a straightforward, standard medicalized American birth. I was uninformed by my own choosing and dealt with trauma from it. As I researched and learned about birth in the months after, I was amazed by what birth COULD be-a calm, normal, peaceful experience. There are so many hospital policies that are not evidence based (constant external fetal monitoring, cervical checks, timing labor, laboring on your back, routine eye goop, etc.). One of my best friends had a home birth which spurred my research more. I read many books (The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, Birthing From Within, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, The Gift of Giving Life, The Birth Book, Spiritual Midwifery, and more) and watched documentaries. Everything was so inspiring! I truly was excited to have another baby and I knew I would need to do everything in my power to be low-risk and have the out of hospital birth I thought would help heal me. Within a year of his birth I had a short list of midwives and doulas and birth preparation courses to consider when we decided to have another babe.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A little after James turned two, we felt it was time to start trying for another baby. Thanks to fertility awareness, we got pregnant immediately. I was so excited! I really wanted this baby and I wanted another chance to birth.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I interviewed and chose my midwives and doula quickly, and got my Hypnobabies stuff soon too (thanks Chelice!).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fast forward to March 2. I went to a routine prenatal at the birth center. We did all of the normal stuff-pee in a cup, weight, listen to baby, take my temperature. They took my blood pressure last, because it tends to be high at the beginning of the appointments. It was high-I think 130/100? They took it a couple more times and couldn't get the bottom number under 100. Since I have a family history of preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension, I'd been concerned my entire pregnancy about my blood pressure becoming an issue for me. The midwives said there was no protein in my urine (which is a sign of preeclampsia) but that they wanted to take blood to run labs for HELLP syndrome, and have me do a 24 hour urine collection for preeclampsia. If either came back with a diagnosis, they would legally have to transfer my care and I would have to birth at a hospital. I was so stressed.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">March 3, I got to put all my pee in containers and refrigerate them. So fun! I cried a lot that day, thinking of the trauma of James' birth and how I could face it all over again. I had no idea what Obs or CNMs were in our network. We paid with our HSA and didn't submit anything to insurance for this birth. My doula would come with us anywhere, which helped, but I just wanted to birth with my midwives at the birth center in peace. That evening Danny gave me a blessing. It was so sweet. He promised me he would be with me no matter what, and told me to have confidence in myself and my body. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I brought my pee in March 4 to the midwives and had another appointment. We chatted and joked around first, and then they took my blood pressure. 130/114. Even worse. My stress level skyrocketed. We talked best and worst case scenarios and ultimately I decided to have them strip my membranes and stretch my cervix in hopes to induce labor. My ideal birth was to let my baby choose her birthday. One of the scrips on Hypnobabies says “Babies are born on their birthdays, not when doctors decide.” However, I agreed that this was the best option (something I love about most out of hospital midwives-true informed consent and leaving decisions in the mother's hands!). So they stripped and stretched. This was my first cervical check my entire pregnancy. Because we had chosen the student midwife program, both the student and head midwife took a turn stripping and stretching. There were hands up me for awhile! I was at a 4 (which really doesn't mean anything, but still excited me) and they stretched me to a 5.5/6. The student midwife then massaged some clary sage oil onto my feet while I continued laying down. They took my blood pressure after and it was perfect! Too bad I couldn't lay around being massaged all day. They sent me home with instructions to pump and to give them a call in the evening and let them know how I was doing. They warned me that when a woman is manually dilated like I was, that her body can need to “catch up”-that birth might take longer than I may expect when I am starting at a 6 because my body had me starting at a 4.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James and I came home and I took a shower. After lunch we headed to Thanksgiving Point with my sister and her son. I had surges here and there the whole time. They were uncomfortable but that was it. We got home around 4/4:30 and I started pumping. I did a few rounds of 15 minute sessions. I could tell the surges were picking up so I asked Danny to get home by 5:30. My mom called during one pumping session and it was kind of hard for me to pay attention to what she was saying-my surges definitely picked up during pumping. Danny got home and says he could tell I was starting my birthing time. He made dinner and I tried to eat but couldn't. Every time I had a surge I had to stop and breathe and focus on relaxing. A few times I dropped to the floor on all fours to try and be more comfortable. By 7, my waves were about a minute or more long and and a minute apart. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After Danny put James down, we started Pitch Perfect to try to help me relax more. I tried out my birth ball and other positions but pretty quickly decided to take a bath because the surges were picking up. I turned my Hypnobabies Birthing Day Affirmations track on-and didn't turn it off until baby girl was born. The surges lengthened out around 8:30 while I was in the bath. I had texted my doula, Megan, around 8 to tell her this was the real deal. The surges were intense and I asked her to come in an hour. I also called the midwives but I don't remember this conversation. When I got out of the bath I was nauseous and had the shakes. I felt like the waves were getting stronger, and my contraction timer says they were over a minute long and 1-4 minutes apart. I must have really been in birth mode because I don't remember a ton from here on out. When I felt the signs of transition, I almost panicked. “We need to leave NOW!” I thought to myself. It was extremely difficult to verbalize anything. I had bloody show at this point and loose stool, all good signs of impending birth. I grabbed a towel and dried myself off, and then had to take the surges on my hands and knees. Danny was watching TV and in between waves I called to him-it was really difficult to break my focus to call for him. I asked him to get me a nursing tank from my drawer, and to call my sister who would be sleeping at our house while we were at the birth center. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was around 9 and I called the midwives again to let them know this was really it. They said to come to the birth center at 9:30. My sister got to our house around 9 and Megan texted around then too and asked if I was ready for her to come. I replied “Please”. Our birth bag hadn't been packed yet, because I wasn't even 39 weeks. I'd been mentally planning to go up to 2 weeks overdue-telling people I was due at the mid/end of March-so that and a whole list of other things weren't done. I'd been working on packing since we got home from Thanksgiving Point, and tried to finish around then. The only thing that I wanted that didn't make it was bobby pins!! Kind of important. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Haley got to our house she massaged me some (I think my feet?) and tried to help me be comfortable. I had the affirmations track playing in my earbuds this whole time. Danny was doing the dishes and trying to finish up some last minute things around the house. I was on hands and knees a lot or lying down, just trying to find relief from the pressure and yes, pain. I wish my Hypnobabies experience involved only pressure and no pain, but it didn't. Megan got here and helped with counter pressure and hip squeezes and showed Haley how to help too while Danny got ready. Finally it was time to go. Haley or Megan reminded me about my birthing necklace from my mother's blessing, which I was so grateful for. I wanted to wear it. All the women who had attended it brought a bead that symbolized something, and I really loved the necklace.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got in the car and started driving. Thankfully the birth center is only like 1.5 miles away, but I had a big surge as we were driving and it was awful. Oh, it was so bad to have one in the car. I jumped out when we got there and headed in. I had another surge as I walked in the lobby and leaned over on the side table there. I vaguely heard someone come in behind me and squeeze my hips. I thought it was Megan, but it was Danny! He was so awesome for my whole labor.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The midwives had me come into one room for their “triage”-temp, blood pressure, listen to baby, and my last cervical check of labor. It was HORRIBLE to be checked while my surges were so strong and frequent. I had stopped timing them around 9 but it felt like they were every minute for at least a minute. Again, because we were doing the student midwife program, both the student and head midwife did a cervical check. The consensus was that I was a 7.5/8. Megan was so excited for me, and the midwives said I was officially admitted. One left to fill the birth tub while I changed into my swimsuit. Megan kept saying that I looked so pretty-one of her doula shirts has the Ina May Gaskin quote, “<span style="color: #111111;">If a woman doesn’t look like a goddess during labor, then someone isn’t treating her right.” I love that! This entire time I am just focused on relaxing and I want that huge tub BADLY!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Once my suit is on we went into the birthing suite and into the bathroom. I took my headphones out and told Danny or Megan I wanted it playing still but didn't know where to put it. One of them took care of it and I climbed in. Oh, the relief! It was so so nice at first. I think I made a couple jokes and the student midwife, Mimi, had me sign some papers. During waves I would get on my hands and knees and Danny and Megan would do counter pressure or hip squeezes. We were entirely left alone, except for every 30 minutes when Mimi would come listen to heart tones. At some point I had to poop again and I told them I did-and clarified that this was NOT baby pushing poop, it was real poop. Then I made them leave me alone for that. Probably after an hour the tub wasn't helping anymore and I wanted to try other things. I got out and dried off and moved into the bedroom. I sat on the birth ball for awhile and Megan and Danny tried things that way, but it didn't help so much. I tried positions while on the bed, no luck. They tried using the rebozo to relieve pressure and pain, and nothing. I was feeling it all in my hips and lower back. It was so so intense. When a wave would start all I could say was “help” and Danny and Megan would try various things. I feel like, with all that I've read, most naturally laboring women get a nice break between surges during transition. I did not, at all. It was one after the other. Honestly I felt like I couldn't get a handle on them. During a wave I would close my eyes, breathe as deeply as I could, and say to myself “peace” while directing anesthesia to my birthing muscles (as per Hypnobabies). I definitely stayed relaxed, but the anesthesia didn't work and there was pain. This entire time I'm thinking, “this is why women go to the hospital and get epidurals. I can honestly say I get it now. Also, I would like to get one.” But the only thing my mouth would say was “help”.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Danny says it was around midnight when I got back in the tub. They had drained it and refilled it and the heat helped but not a ton. Mimi had me take my bottoms off. Soon I felt that moaning and swaying helped. I tried to keep my voice deep and my face relaxed, all like Ina May says to do: if your face muscles are relaxed, your pelvic floor is relaxed. I would say help when I needed it, though I feel like I was starting to realize I was really on my own now. I moved just a little in the tub, because for some reason it was very difficult to change positions. Still we were alone with the exception of every 30 minutes Mimi would check for heart tones. That part was also awful since she had to during a wave and yikes, the last thing you want during one is someone touching your belly!!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">The intensity and pain were definitely picking up here. I remember thinking “this is awful, this is a nightmare” and trying to figure out how I could escape it with an epidural. But I could barely move from seated to hands and knees so I knew there was no way I could get to the car. The birth center offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which I also was thinking I wanted to try, but I couldn't get those words out either. I really could not verbalize any of my thoughts. I remember praying for help but feeling like I needed to experience all of this. One line in a script from Hypnobabies talks about how birth can be healing, and this applied so much to me. At some point I looked at Megan and asked her to tell me that I could do it, and she did. She and Danny would just touch me during waves and that was huge, the support. At once point I just reached out for Danny's hand during a wave. I needed to know I wasn't alone even though I was working alone, in a way.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Probably around 1am I realized that pushing relieved some pressure and pain. I wouldn't say that I felt like pushing-my body wasn't doing it for me-but it helped. This is where I started the deep grunting noises that I had read about in all of the natural birth stories I had devoured over the last three years. It was so intense and it hurt so badly. I kept focusing on relaxing my face and making deep noises while I pushed. I remember saying “I'm dying, I can't do this anymore,” right at the end, and hearing several people say that I could and I was. I opened my eyes surprised to see not only Megan and Danny, but Suzanne (the head midwife and the founder of Better Birth), Mimi, and two more student midwives-I probably hadn't opened my eyes since I got back in the tub. They had heard my pushy noises and knew we were close! I too should have realized I was almost done when I felt like I couldn't do it-and I really was believing that I couldn't. It was so, so hard. Several times I tried to feel for her, but I couldn't feel anything baby like.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />At first the midwives told me to push while sitting with my legs on the tub wall, but that hurt and wasn't comfortable. I was pulling on and squeezing Danny's hand while pushing this way. My water did break while I was pushing this way. Then I turned around and held onto the bars on the wall and pushed on my knees. They kept reminding me to keep my butt in the water. I think that is so that her face didn't touch air and then become submerged again, but I'm not sure. Again I said I couldn't do it, and this is the only time where my breathing picked up. I worked really hard to slow it back down and relax more, which was so difficult. Then I reached down and realized her head was almost out! Knowing this, I pushed and pushed really hard. I am sure I should have tried to slow down, but I was DONE and it was so intense and I really don't think I actually could have slowed down. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">After 8 minutes of pushing, she was out, around 1:16 am. I think they kind of nudged her up between my legs and I reached down and grabbed her. “I did it,” was all I could say, over and over. I felt wide eyed and amazed, because I really didn't think I could. Even though Megan kept saying “Raina is almost here! You get to meet her so soon!” I didn't actually make the connection that all this pain and intensity led to a baby. Clearly I knew, but it wasn't on my mind. I was so focused on my current situation. I pulled her to my chest and I immediately felt great! So, so great. It was unreal. I held her and sat back and breathed. She was so so cheesy!! I could barely tell what she looked like because of all the vernix! Mimi gave me an injection of pitocin which is not routine, but which I agreed to because high blood pressure can cause the placenta to not want to detach. They also said I needed to get out of the tub to deliver the placenta due to my blood pressure. So after a couple minutes, they helped me stand and get out of the tub. I walked to the bed and climbed on holding my baby! That was one of the most awesome parts of no epidural-I could be up and moving right away. We snuggled in the bed, skin to skin, staring at each other. I made jokes and smiled and laughed and oh, it was amazing. Danny laid next to us and she nursed while I pushed out my placenta and the midwives stitched me up. I was just in heaven. I don't think I stopped smiling!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53lHTWTIaFI/VRSfFZdVd5I/AAAAAAAAA78/fHaospNvGvc/s1600/image1%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53lHTWTIaFI/VRSfFZdVd5I/AAAAAAAAA78/fHaospNvGvc/s1600/image1%2B(1).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably after an hour or so they did the newborn exam, all with my baby girl right in front of me. This was a huge thing for me, as James was taken from me soon after birth for no reason but routine procedure. It still causes me stress to think about, but Raina's birth has definitely helped heal a lot of that. She was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19.75 inches. Her head was 13 inches-I don't know what James' was at birth but it was in the 97th percentile at 2 weeks old, and hers was in the 23rd at birth. Overall she was much more petite than him, except for her feet. She was at least a week early, though. At the end of our bed they checked her reflexes and body parts and soon handed her back to me and we nursed again. Megan is also a photographer, so she had been taking pictures throughout the birth and finished up with the newborn exam. Then that angel of a woman left. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk7OJh-4kqI/VRSfNXewcSI/AAAAAAAAA8E/79izkqks5iA/s1600/image1%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk7OJh-4kqI/VRSfNXewcSI/AAAAAAAAA8E/79izkqks5iA/s1600/image1%2B(2).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Danny, Raina, and I were left for the rest of our stay until our discharge at 7 am. They slept, but I had to pee a ton and I was starving and thirsty. And on a huge high from achieving my goal of a natural childbirth. At 6:30 Danny installed the carseat correctly for a newborn and I packed up our bag, and we were home by 7:15 am. This was also a huge plus to using a birth center! It was amazing to be home soon after birth. Haley met us at the door and I told her our birth story, saying I didn't know if I would ever have another baby (I'm already over that!) because it was so intense and not at all pain free (but I will definitely do it again!!). James woke up soon after that and came and met his sister, and we all started to get used to a new family dynamic.</span><br /><br /><br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEMPF-m8fBo/VRSfN1PMFCI/AAAAAAAAA8I/GuPiny3_jJ8/s1600/image1%2B(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEMPF-m8fBo/VRSfN1PMFCI/AAAAAAAAA8I/GuPiny3_jJ8/s1600/image1%2B(4).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xpbsD4wb8yU/VRSfN3nGuNI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Y-yR0p1Wpfo/s1600/image1%2B(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xpbsD4wb8yU/VRSfN3nGuNI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Y-yR0p1Wpfo/s1600/image1%2B(3).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-78941643257786532612015-02-06T12:11:00.003-07:002015-02-06T12:11:46.690-07:0035 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SrxsDeFah8/VNUMsNaerfI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Q_fEekZ-ctI/s1600/35%2Bweeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SrxsDeFah8/VNUMsNaerfI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Q_fEekZ-ctI/s1600/35%2Bweeks.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">35 weeks with jamesy/35 weeks with baby girl</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">-this little girl likes to be posterior, so lucky me-I get to do fun positioning activities all day. crawling, cat/cow, inversions. the worst is avoiding reclining. but i definitely want a comfortable birth so it is worth it. and she is starting to be anterior more.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-my friend hosted a small mother's blessing/blessingway for me last week. i was a little worried i would be uncomfortable because i hate attention on me, but it was one of the most beautiful things i've attended. we did a simple fear release, shared positive birth stories, and my friends and family wrote me letters about motherhood and how i would do well with two babies. we tied red string around wrists for them to think about me until baby girl comes, and everyone brought beads to make a necklace for my birthing time. the beads were symbolic of various things they thought of. i will wear it when it's time and draw strength from sisterhood.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">-only complaints are back pain if i don't wear my belt and lots of peeing. heartburn if i eat chocolate or drink diet coke.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-generally i have great energy (i stayed up till midnight last night and woke up at 730, no problem).&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">-i'm almost done with the hypnobabies program. i'm excited to use it and see how it works for me.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">-miraculously no stretch marks again. i thought i had a few the other morning, but it was just sleep marks on my belly.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-james seems really excited still. he loves his cousin max, but i do worry about him feeling left out or replaced or ignored. he wants to play with max's swing and bouncer and we have to repeat "that's not for you, that's for max" a ton.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-i'm really really hoping this baby nurses easier than james. it took us 6 loooong months to find a groove, thank you lip tie. if she has one, we will revise it ASAP. but hopefully, hopefully, she doesn't have one.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-jamesy is almost 3! i can barely believe it. he is hilarious and sweet. today he stamped all over his naked self while i was doing my hair. he calls the first planes "happy airplanes" and the second "airplanes with the fire". i need to do a james specific post.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-i have some inklings of when she will come, but i just want her to come when a-she is ready and b-the midwife i have met with all but once this pregnancy is on call. i have loved her and really want her there.&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-26363615704846442742015-01-02T21:17:00.002-07:002015-01-02T21:17:51.314-07:0030 weekshome stretch! i have been loving this pregnancy, and i'm grateful to feel this way.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-xEwNZVpEo/VKdnRFUck5I/AAAAAAAAA60/5_cblpQ4S3k/s1600/photo%2B(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-xEwNZVpEo/VKdnRFUck5I/AAAAAAAAA60/5_cblpQ4S3k/s1600/photo%2B(13).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">mindfulness and being intentional have really made a difference between this pregnancy and james'. the two+ years of research on birth i'd done between james and this babe have really opened up my world! before james i wouldn't have imagined i'd be passionate about birth, much less preparing for an out of hospital medication free birth, but here i am. and i couldn't be more excited, truly! i'm blessed to have some friends and family who have planned similar births before me to turn to for guidance-and i feel like i'm asking them questions ALL the time (thank you charity, chelice, and ashley!)!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">this pregnancy has been so different from james' too, in symptoms as well as overall attitude. i've been wanting to record them so here goes. hopefully i can remember them all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">james/baby 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-moderate nausea for 13ish weeks/extreme nausea for 9, then a sudden end</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-one day of vomiting/apparently i'm not over that as i threw up a couple days ago</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-extreme fatigue during the first and last trimester/extreme fatigue for the first 9 weeks, then just mild since</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-felt first movement around 20 weeks/first movement around 13 weeks, even with an anterior placenta</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-saw first movement from the outside around the third tri/first outside movement around 20 weeks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-never had even one dream/tons of strange dreams. so, so strange at first</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-never cold/still cold!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-really dark linea nigra/teeny tiny faint one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-serious emotional swings/like none. i started to have a couple days of angry ness this week, but was reminded that i ran out of my fermented cod liver oil (vitamin d yo!) and as soon as i upped it, i was back to normal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-my hair pretty &nbsp;much stopped falling out/seems to fall out at it's normal rate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-really really foggy brain/not so much. a few things i've forgotten here and there but overall it's good</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-pretty sure i didn't have much sciatic or back pain/sciatic and back pain since 24 ish weeks. praise the maternity belt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">probably there are more and i'll add them if i remember because it really has been so interesting. i was sure she was a girl since the beginning, and the disparity in symptoms further assured me. and i was right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'm a couple weeks into hypnobabies. it's really interesting and i do like it. since james hasn't napped for months it's difficult to find 30-45 minutes a day to listen and practice, but danny's a champ and helps out. sometimes i feel like it's a lot of work, but it should be. i wish i'd been more mindful and tried to prepare for james' birth-i feel like the transition to motherhood may have been easier for me if i had been. but! you live and you learn. the affirmation track is excellent. i love being told "my changing body is radiantly beautiful" a couple times a day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">here's to 10+ more weeks, patience, and trusting birth, my body, and my baby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-20273360016857161712014-10-27T20:19:00.001-06:002014-10-27T20:19:05.424-06:00It's a girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5wiZlNilFg/VE78DxBvSyI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SxjkIeFo7bg/s1600/james.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5wiZlNilFg/VE78DxBvSyI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/SxjkIeFo7bg/s1600/james.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">James is going to have a little sister. I have thought this baby was a girl from the beginning, and I'm so excited for this adventure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e2mkOkHixE/VE787x0iFnI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/CpYdqYiUqKY/s1600/photo%2B(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e2mkOkHixE/VE787x0iFnI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/CpYdqYiUqKY/s1600/photo%2B(12).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">20 weeks pregnant</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-62079379486922041642014-09-14T17:26:00.002-06:002014-09-14T17:26:39.880-06:00round twowell, it was bound to happen sometime! baby brown #2 is due mid March.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTPekr2_fKY/VBYismF7KFI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e46Wnc4D8VU/s1600/20140810_161640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTPekr2_fKY/VBYismF7KFI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e46Wnc4D8VU/s1600/20140810_161640.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oH8XknXiQdo/VBYimIlNi4I/AAAAAAAAA5w/ZL_qEz_co9Q/s1600/DSCN1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oH8XknXiQdo/VBYimIlNi4I/AAAAAAAAA5w/ZL_qEz_co9Q/s1600/DSCN1635.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">just over 14 weeks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">i *think* james understands. we've been watching some birthing videos and he's asked if i will push the baby out, so that seems promising! up until a few weeks ago though he thought everyone had a baby in their tummy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">this pregnancy has been so very different from james'. much more intense nausea and fatigue from about 5-9 weeks, when it kind of *snap* disappeared. i was worried and told a friend, and right after waves of nausea came back. it's been on and off since.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">when we went to the birth center for my 12 week appointment we were expecting to hear the baby's heartbeat. they couldn't find one at all, and with my symptoms alleviating we chose to do an ultrasound.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">a midwife met us at the OB office and waited 40 long minutes for us to be called back. as soon as the wand was placed on my abdomen, we saw a squirmy little baby. it was so, so relieving, lots of emotions that day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">i'm in a group of pregnant women who are getting together to discuss the book "the gift of giving life". it is a phenomenal book and has given me a lot of things to ponder.&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-68139783126365468502013-12-03T10:24:00.001-07:002013-12-03T10:24:43.092-07:00james at 21 monthsmy favorite things about the mister:<br />-asks to "sit?" whenever he sees a chair or counter top<br />-asks to wash "hand?" when i wash mine<br />-says "BYU" whenever he sees the Y (or a lot of other letters...) and then follows it with "go cougars!" which sounds like "go dada"<br />-knows most of his aunts and uncles names-at least the ones who live here<br />-says "sup" when he sees derek, bryce, or amber<br />-LOVES trains. loves loves loves them. every time i turn the TV on he asks "choo choo?"<br />-plays with cars lots. says "vroom"<br />-started some pretend play where he pretends to be asleep and snores<br />-absolutely loves nursery<br />-has a few friends he loves and says their names well (ryker, natalie, elsie, hudson)<br />-still has me as his favorite person<br />-runs everywhere. no walking for this guy<br />-says "windy" and "raining" and "snow"<br />-has started saying "i got it" and "it's stuck"<br />-sings a little<br />-would eat all day long if i let him. he loves fruit (i've cut him off after 4 cuties before), mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower.<br />-still loves being worn in the tula.<br />-loves buttons and zippers and points them out<br />-is finally really liking books<br />-loves baby will. my sister and him are in california for 5 weeks and james keeps asking for "haley" and "will"<br />-wants to knock on every door he sees<br />-pats his bum and says "bum bum" when he needs a diaper change<br />-he's very easy going and loves people. he says "hi" and waves to everyone<br />-walks backwards and spins around to make you laugh<br />-loves the lights around our window and christmas tree<br />-loves dogs. "PUPPY" he shouts when he sees one<br />-every ball is a "football", though he's started saying "soccer" (a lot of spitting is involved)<br />-loves helping and imitating me. he pretends to put on makeup, wears my necklaces, and will try to take his temperature since he sees me do that daily.<br />-loves making people laugh. he is a sweet boy.<br /><br />three more months till he's two. crazy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2rpZTTYVKo/Up4Tq-x5cdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/ZJvBOg-YcLg/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2rpZTTYVKo/Up4Tq-x5cdI/AAAAAAAAA3A/ZJvBOg-YcLg/s320/5.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhGC5FiPeZA/Up4TuUcQBzI/AAAAAAAAA3I/L-JaomYGsrk/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhGC5FiPeZA/Up4TuUcQBzI/AAAAAAAAA3I/L-JaomYGsrk/s320/IMG_2714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QhyKlfh2YIg/Up4TzqBGhBI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/QZ0hjYnBTm4/s1600/IMG_2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QhyKlfh2YIg/Up4TzqBGhBI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/QZ0hjYnBTm4/s320/IMG_2742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-31451455636890610532013-09-23T20:18:00.000-06:002013-09-23T20:18:16.078-06:00vegetarian mealssince the <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/25/mini-pledge-week-3-meat/">meat challenge</a>, i've done some thinking about choosing and eating meat. it makes sense to me that animals fed a diet they naturally eat (ie grass fed beef instead of corn fed beef) are going to be better for us. however (and this is a BIG however) it is quite pricey. like $15-20+/lb! that is definitely out of our normal budget. so, we've stopped buying meat and (best part) have incorporated some new and delicious vegetarian recipes into our rotation. big thanks to my friend charity who is a vegetarian and has helped a ton!<div><br /></div><div>if you think "what the heck do you eat without meat??" like i did, here are a few recipes that we love.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/02/spicy-roasted-vegetable-macaroni-and-cheese.html">spicy roasted vegetable mac and cheese</a></div><div><a href="http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/baked-green-chile-chilaquiles/">rachael ray's green chile chilaquiles</a></div><div><a href="http://thecheapskatecook.com/2010/08/11/better-beans-rice/">better beans and rice</a></div><div><a href="http://thecheapskatecook.com/2012/01/25/one-of-the-easiest-heartiest-meals-to-frugalize/">meatless chili</a></div><div><a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/06/teriyaki-noodle-bowls/">teriyaki noodle bowls</a></div><div><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/05/05/recipe-farmers%E2%80%99-market-stir-fry/">farmer's market stir fry</a></div><div><a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/04/black-bean-avocado-enchiladas/">black bean and avocado enchiladas</a></div><div><a href="http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/05/100-whole-wheat-pizza-dough.html">veggie pizza</a>&nbsp;(link to dough recipe, then we top with sauce, cheese, and whatever veggies we got from the farmer's market)</div><div><br /></div><div>we rotate those ^ with our staples of alfredo, quesadillas, breakfast for dinner, and soups. i bought calendar scrapbook paper from hobby lobby awhile back and meal plan for 2-3 weeks at a time.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>none of these really require more effort than meat containing meals we used to make, which is great because with an 18 month old, minimal time in the kitchen is necessary. and they are all AMAZING. i think our favorite is the black bean enchilada recipe. followed quickly by the mac and cheese. and a big bonus, leaving meat out has freed our budget up quite a bit! i spied some reasonably priced grass fed organic beef at sprout's last week and i think i'll buy some to add into our stir fry next month. i've heard once you try grass fed beef you never want to go back!&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-66580341678736630392013-09-01T19:57:00.001-06:002013-09-01T19:57:24.955-06:0018 months oldIt's hard to grasp that it's been 6 months since my mister turned 1 and we dressed him up in a sombrero and mustache. He's still a silly boy with bright blue eyes and super white hair, but he talks non stop and is climbing all over now.&nbsp;<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UZgdSdagiAk/UiPwg37bsQI/AAAAAAAAA2s/25BS0eLnlN8/s640/blogger-image--1047237075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UZgdSdagiAk/UiPwg37bsQI/AAAAAAAAA2s/25BS0eLnlN8/s640/blogger-image--1047237075.jpg"></a></div><br><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HfVNqUk4QwA/UiPwc2BHLfI/AAAAAAAAA2c/AJVCFo-SibM/s640/blogger-image--1689912694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HfVNqUk4QwA/UiPwc2BHLfI/AAAAAAAAA2c/AJVCFo-SibM/s640/blogger-image--1689912694.jpg"></a></div><div>He</div><div>-has around 40 words, including his new favorites "yucky" and "trash"</div><div>-loves to have pandora on the TV. He hands me the controller in the morning, looks at the TV, and starts dancing.&nbsp;</div><div>-is super independent. He wants to open my and his car door, navigate to pandora with the TV controller, put the laundry in the washer, close the door himself, etc. It is so fun and also helps my patience.&nbsp;</div><div>-slept all the way through the night once. It was awesome and hasn't happened since.&nbsp;</div><div>-is wishy-washy with books. Sometimes he loves to sit and look at a bunch and point to the things I name, and sometimes he gets through a page or two and is DONE.&nbsp;</div><div>-knows a ton of body parts and just learned elbow and knee last week. And he loves finding other people's noses.&nbsp;</div><div>-is really starting to love songs with actions.&nbsp;</div><div>-loves his aunt Haley and identifies her in (even upside down!) pictures.&nbsp;</div><div>-sits up and moves around and then lays his head on my or Danny's torso when he is in bed with us. Usually that's when the bed sharing ends.&nbsp;</div><div>-still fits into most 12 month shirts and pants and has started into his 18 month stuff.&nbsp;</div><div>-really is loving being in a carrier these days. Makes it real handy when I don't want to lug a stroller around.&nbsp;</div><div>-is obsessed with the water. Fearless in the wave pool and almost never wants to be held at seven peaks.&nbsp;</div><div>-loves the playground and fire hydrants.&nbsp;</div><div>-used to love the vacuum but is terrified of it now!</div><div>-loves eating dirt. Classic boy.&nbsp;</div><div>-also is an easy eater. Eats almost everything.</div><div>-throws EVERYTHING. This stage is not so fun.&nbsp;</div></div><div>-is obsessed with Danny's longboard and wants me to push him around it all day.&nbsp;</div><div>-loves other kids sooo much. He really is so social.&nbsp;</div><div>-has been nursing to sleep more lately and it makes me miss the days of tiny, sleepy James. *almost* enough to make me baby hungry but not quite.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qGLbdk6X3Q0/UiPbD6XjVBI/AAAAAAAAA2M/bvux01QyJXc/s640/blogger-image--317367174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qGLbdk6X3Q0/UiPbD6XjVBI/AAAAAAAAA2M/bvux01QyJXc/s640/blogger-image--317367174.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lOe2NPc32co/UiPweiUN9wI/AAAAAAAAA2k/OuZbynNr4fM/s640/blogger-image--1798324610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lOe2NPc32co/UiPweiUN9wI/AAAAAAAAA2k/OuZbynNr4fM/s640/blogger-image--1798324610.jpg"></a></div><br></div>He has been so much fun to have around. I do miss the days of not having a destroyed house by the end of the day, but the open mouthed kisses while he says "love you" are worth it. So so worth it.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br></div><div>We adore you little man. You're so perfect for our family.&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-28009411226020269742013-08-27T08:36:00.001-06:002013-08-27T08:36:17.304-06:00Farmington, NM<div>Danny's grandma had her 90th birthday party last weekend! We headed down to Farmington to celebrate with Danny's family.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Four of Danny's six siblings came so it was *almost* a family reunion for them. Christmas will be the real one though!</div><div><br></div><div>The desert was so pretty. It was cloudy and almost cool while we were there which was such a nice break from his horrible Utah summer.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We had a hamburger lunch at the park and played badminton, went swimming at the hotel, and visited grandma Boyd's adorable home. Her gardens were amazing and her backyard is cliffs and rocks and desert land. Danny and his siblings talk about playing there while growing up and it was fun to see where their stories took place.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cj_enPBSNIE/Uhy5VCyOwWI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IWIjCi9qonA/s640/blogger-image--826624358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cj_enPBSNIE/Uhy5VCyOwWI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IWIjCi9qonA/s640/blogger-image--826624358.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing in the dirt</div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L3VQm919p9g/Uhy5WTjfN9I/AAAAAAAAA10/g7sfCoz0AqI/s640/blogger-image--709861417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L3VQm919p9g/Uhy5WTjfN9I/AAAAAAAAA10/g7sfCoz0AqI/s640/blogger-image--709861417.jpg"></a></div><div>Badminton</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fyBIKKA8llw/Uhy5X4IYfDI/AAAAAAAAA18/nwK5Jq9fao8/s640/blogger-image-2019835518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fyBIKKA8llw/Uhy5X4IYfDI/AAAAAAAAA18/nwK5Jq9fao8/s640/blogger-image-2019835518.jpg"></a></div>Succulents in the garden</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eJbOPWhelf4/Uhy5RZxU6XI/AAAAAAAAA1U/own8XljVaV0/s640/blogger-image-1408837850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eJbOPWhelf4/Uhy5RZxU6XI/AAAAAAAAA1U/own8XljVaV0/s640/blogger-image-1408837850.jpg"></a></div>Hiking in grandma Boyd's backyard at sunset&nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yGJJKDvWtEQ/Uhy5T1VE7hI/AAAAAAAAA1k/HdEjjvs6hx0/s640/blogger-image-725545890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yGJJKDvWtEQ/Uhy5T1VE7hI/AAAAAAAAA1k/HdEjjvs6hx0/s640/blogger-image-725545890.jpg"></a></div>The big rock in front of grandma Boyd's house</div><div><br></div><div>On our way home we stopped in Moab and hiked delicate arch. It happened to also be free national parks day! James was exhausted and a bit out of control, so after about 1/4 mile hike I stopped, nursed him, and then continued the hike. He had been on Danny's back, but then I put him on my front and he did fine. I got a lot of comments about it! I'm glad we have good carriers for fun hikes though. It was tough hiking that with him (especially in the front), but it was gorgeous and raining and cool. Perfect perfect.&nbsp;<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--4_sw95D0IM/Uhwf16ncMLI/AAAAAAAAA08/JoT1OO-xnxU/s640/blogger-image--1879954060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--4_sw95D0IM/Uhwf16ncMLI/AAAAAAAAA08/JoT1OO-xnxU/s640/blogger-image--1879954060.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ya-jrhCjETI/Uhy5QL1K4gI/AAAAAAAAA1M/kJz0wcFpq_I/s640/blogger-image--1433445937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ya-jrhCjETI/Uhy5QL1K4gI/AAAAAAAAA1M/kJz0wcFpq_I/s640/blogger-image--1433445937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ke-KNq2iRsY/Uhy5SilYB8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/AJE3I0PF9SM/s640/blogger-image--1390799511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ke-KNq2iRsY/Uhy5SilYB8I/AAAAAAAAA1c/AJE3I0PF9SM/s640/blogger-image--1390799511.jpg"></a></div></div>The fat finally fell asleep on me! He only got a 20-30 minute nap but it was better than nothing I suppose.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was such a fun yet unfortunately short trip. I can't wait for Christmas to spend more time with the brown clan.&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-77590156560541563802013-07-04T18:23:00.001-06:002013-07-04T18:23:21.762-06:00Baby WillMy sister had her baby at 26 weeks and 4 days. Her blood pressure was not responding to pain meds. Baby Will is doing well in the NICU now. Please continue those prayers!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YRthe_Y7sVU/UdYR-NC3TdI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/HvWOXTZgeM8/s640/blogger-image-1432018432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YRthe_Y7sVU/UdYR-NC3TdI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/HvWOXTZgeM8/s640/blogger-image-1432018432.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-33656072239603717312013-06-29T20:43:00.001-06:002013-06-29T20:43:36.188-06:00Prayers please!My sweet sister asked James and I to go with her to her routine OB appointment on Friday. Once we went back, they took her blood pressure and it was fairly high. The nurse took us into an exam room and had her lie down in the dark. After a few minutes the OB came in and talked to us about preeclampsia. He said he wanted Haley to go straight to labor and delivery for some testing.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>After the appointment, the nurse took her blood pressure again-it was 175/125! Not good at all. We headed to L&amp;D.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They were ready for her once we got there. They took us back into a room and &nbsp;had her change into a lovely gown. Her blood pressure continued to be high, though not as high as before we left the OBGYN.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Haley asked how long we'd be there and they said awhile. After some tests came back, the doctor came and visited with us. Basically he said that she has preeclampsia and they would need to deliver the baby within a couple days. She is only 26 weeks along. They did an ultrasound on the babe and he looks awesome. A little low fluid but growth is perfect.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As of tonight, her preeclampsia is mild! Her blood pressure has stayed down without medication and there is only minimal protein spilling from her kidneys.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We are so, so grateful for the prayers everyone has offered on her behalf. Thank you! We hope the little man can continue cooking for several more weeks at least.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYwy0pHJ0S8/Uc-bVvxhZiI/AAAAAAAAA0I/u98pe2beM34/s640/blogger-image-1767493041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYwy0pHJ0S8/Uc-bVvxhZiI/AAAAAAAAA0I/u98pe2beM34/s640/blogger-image-1767493041.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PZn-vpe3Kmw/Uc-bUPGcA-I/AAAAAAAAA0A/MN7Qq-dwTGY/s640/blogger-image-46983031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PZn-vpe3Kmw/Uc-bUPGcA-I/AAAAAAAAA0A/MN7Qq-dwTGY/s640/blogger-image-46983031.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love you Haley! Keep growing that baby boy!</div><br></div><br></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-78112747447697864502013-06-16T15:01:00.001-06:002013-06-17T14:34:31.061-06:00Happy Father's Day!Happy Father's Day to my Danny! It's been a fun 15.5 months since we became parents.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We love you Danny!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U3ikbY6DTEA/Ub4nh0CwSII/AAAAAAAAAzY/uY5Nx687Vlg/s640/blogger-image-1092776148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U3ikbY6DTEA/Ub4nh0CwSII/AAAAAAAAAzY/uY5Nx687Vlg/s640/blogger-image-1092776148.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M4_donoMFjw/Ub4njFyWGPI/AAAAAAAAAzg/9fhfc4lsIjg/s640/blogger-image--454276905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M4_donoMFjw/Ub4njFyWGPI/AAAAAAAAAzg/9fhfc4lsIjg/s640/blogger-image--454276905.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Danny asked for his mom's Texas fudge cake for dessert. Full of refined sugar and margarine, it is delicious. Like I said, switching to whole foods is a process. And I don't want a life without treats now and then, that's for sure! Recipe found <a href="http://timefordinner.blogspot.com/2007/07/texas-fudge-cake-no-doubt.html">here</a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JGm450xfLTA/Ub4v_piUtUI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Gxs5UVC-JG4/s640/blogger-image--1834687203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JGm450xfLTA/Ub4v_piUtUI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Gxs5UVC-JG4/s640/blogger-image--1834687203.jpg" /></a></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-8178567588431698792013-05-24T12:08:00.001-06:002013-05-24T12:08:08.706-06:00Fastest road tripDanny's dad's twin brother died last week. The funeral was in Gilbert, AZ and we weren't planning on going. On Friday morning Amber, Danny, Derek, my Danny, James and I decided we'd go down. We secured a rental van (thank you car dealership family hookups) and finally left Utah at 10pm.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I should have drugged James (judge away!) but I didn't. He slept terribly-max 7 hours with wake ups every 1-2 hours. We stopped once on the way down and pulled into the hotel at 7am. Mama and Papa Brown were at the curb waiting for us (Duaine may have called us every few hours to see how close we were) and it was so nice to see them!&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Mister was grumpy the whole time but did give off a few smiles here and there. He was nice and noisy during the funeral service so we had to hang out in the hall/go to Sonic for a caffeine fix.&nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ob_Lqn_5pJw/UZ-sf8mKkJI/AAAAAAAAAy0/BRdknK9tDwc/s640/blogger-image-1271008253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ob_Lqn_5pJw/UZ-sf8mKkJI/AAAAAAAAAy0/BRdknK9tDwc/s640/blogger-image-1271008253.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I'm so glad we could see them. They haven't seen James in person since Thanksgiving and he wasn't even crawling yet!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3uyw8Z5xVBk/UZ-sg--FyDI/AAAAAAAAAy8/mLuOFHmyZS4/s640/blogger-image-61130063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3uyw8Z5xVBk/UZ-sg--FyDI/AAAAAAAAAy8/mLuOFHmyZS4/s640/blogger-image-61130063.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We enjoyed the things the south (does AZ count as the south??) has to offer: warmth, Bluebell ice cream, Quiktrip, and friendly people. We visited with Grandma Brown for a bit as well-James and I had never met her before. She is 96 or 97 and is sharp as a tack. She remembers minutiae about people she has never met! The sweet lady has outlived her husband and two children now. What a trooper.&nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XylDejO1Ot4/UZ-seghyLpI/AAAAAAAAAys/4xamiG2ol6o/s640/blogger-image-1793943622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XylDejO1Ot4/UZ-seghyLpI/AAAAAAAAAys/4xamiG2ol6o/s640/blogger-image-1793943622.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>On the way home we attempted to stop at the Grand Canyon but it would have added at least 2 hours to our trip and James was done! Too bad it wasn't over Memorial Day weekend or it would have been perfect.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9xY0MuUQug/UZ-shx10FUI/AAAAAAAAAzE/5msqeZtr0bQ/s640/blogger-image--1419128699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q9xY0MuUQug/UZ-shx10FUI/AAAAAAAAAzE/5msqeZtr0bQ/s640/blogger-image--1419128699.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>I love my in laws. I know how much of a blessing that is too. James had fun with them and we'll probably see them again at the end of the summer.&nbsp;</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-76204498605731452522013-04-02T13:52:00.001-06:002013-04-02T13:52:19.786-06:00we have a walkerjames took his first steps the week before he turned 1. now he can probably be categorized as a walker. he toddles all over and i love watching his chubby little bow legs go go go. he can even bend down, pick something up, and stand back up without falling.<br /><br />danny taught him how to play basketball, and to call it "yesssss" since danny says "yesss" after making a basket. so every time james sees his basketball hoop or basketball he goes "esss". it's the cutest.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pn7e8VgZrsY/UVsyXTplPqI/AAAAAAAAAvk/reZTBkuoc6o/s1600/IMG_0777%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pn7e8VgZrsY/UVsyXTplPqI/AAAAAAAAAvk/reZTBkuoc6o/s320/IMG_0777%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAhviOcKmsM/UVsyaPHbwuI/AAAAAAAAAvs/_Z65qzWEaBg/s1600/IMG_0729%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAhviOcKmsM/UVsyaPHbwuI/AAAAAAAAAvs/_Z65qzWEaBg/s320/IMG_0729%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpWoplGJMAg/UVsytA2n6sI/AAAAAAAAAv0/ZDEviXHHcOM/s1600/IMG_0981%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpWoplGJMAg/UVsytA2n6sI/AAAAAAAAAv0/ZDEviXHHcOM/s320/IMG_0981%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYNJTMo-W4s/UVsyvxmfBDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rfPFUVlMVOo/s1600/IMG_0838%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYNJTMo-W4s/UVsyvxmfBDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rfPFUVlMVOo/s320/IMG_0838%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlHlXc7wDoc/UVsyxgCvIeI/AAAAAAAAAwE/daQMsN57JSI/s1600/IMG_0863%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlHlXc7wDoc/UVsyxgCvIeI/AAAAAAAAAwE/daQMsN57JSI/s320/IMG_0863%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hRGsxSk7qgI/UVsyzNueA3I/AAAAAAAAAwM/l-rT3wul4sk/s1600/IMG_0968%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hRGsxSk7qgI/UVsyzNueA3I/AAAAAAAAAwM/l-rT3wul4sk/s320/IMG_0968%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />in other exciting news, mason jennings came to BYU and tickets were only $6 each. it was unbelievable. mason is danny's very favorite musician and he truly is so incredibly talented. danny and i both love music (though different types) yet aren't huge fans of concerts. i have asthma so hate breathing smoke and being around people drinking alcohol make us a bit uncomfortable. and sweaty mosh pits aren't my fave. but since this was at BYU there was no smoking or drinking, and while there were more people than we expected to see there, there was no rubbing shoulders or bellies with sweaty people. danny's brother got us pretty amazing spots right at the front. toward the end we were literally right next to the stage. mason was so perfect live. it was a once in a lifetime experience and i'm so, so grateful we could go.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaycQe3vIKw/UVszGxovnpI/AAAAAAAAAwU/i3Pu0sjUjqk/s1600/IMG_0920%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaycQe3vIKw/UVszGxovnpI/AAAAAAAAAwU/i3Pu0sjUjqk/s320/IMG_0920%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ee5KA1v9prg/UVszJZ2-RVI/AAAAAAAAAwc/jY3e-fNwyl0/s1600/IMG_0921%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ee5KA1v9prg/UVszJZ2-RVI/AAAAAAAAAwc/jY3e-fNwyl0/s320/IMG_0921%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WORLaPyWBq4/UVszKOWRpPI/AAAAAAAAAwk/FImJv4-leGk/s1600/IMG_0924%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WORLaPyWBq4/UVszKOWRpPI/AAAAAAAAAwk/FImJv4-leGk/s320/IMG_0924%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-52821828790955118802013-03-11T11:30:00.001-06:002013-03-11T11:30:13.845-06:0012 month stats<span style="font-family: inherit;">we had james' 12 month well child check last week with our new doctor. we switched to a naturopath and it is a MUCH better fit for my philosophy and opinions. james is:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">22 lbs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">29.75 in</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and his noggin is just under 50 cm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">didn't get the percentiles but dr wright said he's still on his same curves. and his dang head is still off the charts. we passed on all 12 month vaccines. dr wright recommends to every mom that they become a 'doctor mom' in homeopathy, herbs, or essential oils. this is all new territory for me and i'm excited to learn more. there are pretty polarized opinions on those things, but i would love to have options to modern medicine. i'm all for pharmaceuticals when needed, yet i do think that God has provided us with natural methods for many things and i'd prefer to tap into those first.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the person that recommended dr wright to us said that he encourages long term breastfeeding. i LOVE that. there are so many misinformed doctors-one told a friend that breastmilk after 1 is like skim milk! that is so, so false.<a href="http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/"> research </a>shows&nbsp;<em style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for &gt;1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant.” </em><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I'm glad that our doctor is supportive. i really do think james's health is at least in part due to breastfeeding.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Me87eXs3Wio/UT4UdVpQ1yI/AAAAAAAAAvU/WWnzF_FkTDI/s1600/where+is+it.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Me87eXs3Wio/UT4UdVpQ1yI/AAAAAAAAAvU/WWnzF_FkTDI/s320/where+is+it.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">james asking "where is it?"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">anyways, our little man is healthy and growing well. he has a handful of words, copies gestures, is taking several steps (he walked across the living room a few times yesterday!), and is so interactive. being his mommy becomes more and more fun.</span></span></div><br /><div><br /></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-67361213176630254312013-03-04T15:44:00.003-07:002013-03-04T15:44:43.862-07:00a fiesta for misterwell, it's official. we have a 1 year old. to celebrate, we had a fiesta with all of our family and some friends who live here! it was a blast. everything went perfect. james loved having so much attention on him. i'm so grateful everyone could come and celebrate with us. here are some pictures from the night.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPrn2rh1spY/UTUjQoiNVKI/AAAAAAAAAt8/PBuHkB9QPZ8/s1600/IMG_0671%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPrn2rh1spY/UTUjQoiNVKI/AAAAAAAAAt8/PBuHkB9QPZ8/s320/IMG_0671%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h-fxE83GSE/UTUjTDwmQEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/eoQn1eVcgqE/s1600/IMG_0668%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h-fxE83GSE/UTUjTDwmQEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/eoQn1eVcgqE/s320/IMG_0668%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwGVhxd-hXI/UTUjVz5IxLI/AAAAAAAAAuM/raQa5DL8lFM/s1600/IMG_0678%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwGVhxd-hXI/UTUjVz5IxLI/AAAAAAAAAuM/raQa5DL8lFM/s320/IMG_0678%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYj_giyepZg/UTUjYJiFdgI/AAAAAAAAAuU/lILEmMmPauE/s1600/IMG_0683%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYj_giyepZg/UTUjYJiFdgI/AAAAAAAAAuU/lILEmMmPauE/s320/IMG_0683%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKaogleHH8A/UTUjZrWlQfI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-9IKnC8rT08/s1600/IMG_0684%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKaogleHH8A/UTUjZrWlQfI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-9IKnC8rT08/s320/IMG_0684%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvof3TAuuEw/UTUjbr-cn9I/AAAAAAAAAuk/djxhlVkJWyU/s1600/IMG_0687%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvof3TAuuEw/UTUjbr-cn9I/AAAAAAAAAuk/djxhlVkJWyU/s320/IMG_0687%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrFCNpHeLOk/UTUjdZrOuBI/AAAAAAAAAus/x1oYiH7A2OM/s1600/IMG_0685%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrFCNpHeLOk/UTUjdZrOuBI/AAAAAAAAAus/x1oYiH7A2OM/s320/IMG_0685%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oCgwkniKjDY/UTUjfwYRYYI/AAAAAAAAAu0/NWaocmB2l4g/s1600/IMG_0695%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oCgwkniKjDY/UTUjfwYRYYI/AAAAAAAAAu0/NWaocmB2l4g/s320/IMG_0695%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oowvfk73PFI/UTUjhRZy0MI/AAAAAAAAAu8/nFX-AsE8pTM/s1600/IMG_0694%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oowvfk73PFI/UTUjhRZy0MI/AAAAAAAAAu8/nFX-AsE8pTM/s320/IMG_0694%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n79kj3Y7VTQ/UTUjiR71VEI/AAAAAAAAAvE/rchdyq6b4PI/s1600/IMG_0700%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n79kj3Y7VTQ/UTUjiR71VEI/AAAAAAAAAvE/rchdyq6b4PI/s320/IMG_0700%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-31896288707954962013-02-20T21:47:00.000-07:002013-02-20T21:47:05.878-07:00mister's one year old photo shootone of my biggest regrets is not doing newborns with the babe. instas and iphone photos just don't make the cut you know. alas i thought it was extravagant to get them done, plus i was a chub, so we didn't sadness. we are trying to make up for that with one year shots! my SIL, ambie, took these. i love them so so so so much. i feel like they capture my mister's essence right now. so, enjoy. amber's photo blog is photosbymasters.blogspot.com.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmoJuZBGni8/USWmd2_oKfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/iblV3-8Le2E/s1600/_DSC4222-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmoJuZBGni8/USWmd2_oKfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/iblV3-8Le2E/s320/_DSC4222-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J14rBspILA/USWmeJmAwDI/AAAAAAAAAsY/tI2gAP497nY/s1600/_DSC4196-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J14rBspILA/USWmeJmAwDI/AAAAAAAAAsY/tI2gAP497nY/s320/_DSC4196-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fVNjahiVGQ/USWmeNrCg-I/AAAAAAAAAsc/TzjVPBWtlX0/s1600/_DSC4220-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fVNjahiVGQ/USWmeNrCg-I/AAAAAAAAAsc/TzjVPBWtlX0/s320/_DSC4220-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRq6_BE2VeE/USWmfFoVOHI/AAAAAAAAAsk/UMex7tFfORU/s1600/_DSC4311-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRq6_BE2VeE/USWmfFoVOHI/AAAAAAAAAsk/UMex7tFfORU/s320/_DSC4311-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oKUml9GzpQ/USWmfiQz_TI/AAAAAAAAAss/Du_svN7jKJE/s1600/_DSC4338-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oKUml9GzpQ/USWmfiQz_TI/AAAAAAAAAss/Du_svN7jKJE/s320/_DSC4338-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMe_BPvMHp4/USWmfZGzo7I/AAAAAAAAAs0/1_ec3hpXIPE/s1600/_DSC4254-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMe_BPvMHp4/USWmfZGzo7I/AAAAAAAAAs0/1_ec3hpXIPE/s320/_DSC4254-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7bFuXEL-u4/USWmgCKlYKI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bKJAwtp1qJ0/s1600/_DSC4347-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7bFuXEL-u4/USWmgCKlYKI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bKJAwtp1qJ0/s320/_DSC4347-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNkCdXS7DYE/USWmgowCyTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/kewbFMs-YNk/s1600/_DSC4349-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNkCdXS7DYE/USWmgowCyTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/kewbFMs-YNk/s320/_DSC4349-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>i can't believe he'll be one next week. what the crazy.Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-73856197127311722392013-02-11T11:21:00.000-07:002013-02-11T11:21:30.623-07:0011 months oldoh this baby! he is a hoot.<br /><br />he says: mama (not intentionally yet), dada (sometimes intentionally), hi, uh-oh, all done, and just started saying bubbles.<br />he has stood alone a couple times, but cruises so dang fast.<br />he takes two naps that usually are an hour but sometimes, blessedly, are longer.<br />he sleeps 7/8-3/4/5-7/8, with the 3/4/5 being a nursing session. i'm sure we could get rid of it but i don't mind it.<br />he still loves eating but is becoming more of a stinker and chucking things on the ground sometimes.<br />he loves exploring and taking everything out of cupboards and shelves. i wonder what the point of picking up is.<br />he has the most hilarious face i've named his stinker face.<br />he gives kisses sometimes.<br />he isn't attached to any toy or blanket. i wonder if that will come, or if it's me right now since he nurses frequently.<br /><br />we're having a family birthday party for him in a few weeks. it's fiesta themed! danny and i made this invite yesterday for it and we LOVE it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4Qt8ZQua8Q/URk1V9IpigI/AAAAAAAAArc/HK5M6c1eFrs/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4Qt8ZQua8Q/URk1V9IpigI/AAAAAAAAArc/HK5M6c1eFrs/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;here's the stinker face!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oMhDhf82E8/URk19srb3wI/AAAAAAAAAro/AV5ktaOp_bA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oMhDhf82E8/URk19srb3wI/AAAAAAAAAro/AV5ktaOp_bA/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;and here is our sad little amigo. not a fan of the hat or the mustache.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGOWLd1ZSuc/URk1_CBE6rI/AAAAAAAAArw/Y5B907Zg7YY/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGOWLd1ZSuc/URk1_CBE6rI/AAAAAAAAArw/Y5B907Zg7YY/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />we love you james! we've been so blessed to have you for almost an entire year.Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-36356245760382475292012-12-13T17:42:00.001-07:002012-12-13T17:42:10.519-07:00At nine months oldWeight: 20.22 lbs/56.83%<br />Height: 29.32 in/81.1%<br />Head: 18.89 in/98.78%<br /><br />James:<br />Crawls. <br />Pulls to stand. <br />Is starting to cruise. <br />Usually poos on the toilet. <br />Imitates some actions. <br />Loves sweet potato fries, beans, bread, pork chops, chicken, cheese, and cuties.<br />Chucks eggs off his tray almost always. <br />Eats meals or snacks 2-3 times a day. <br />Knows what "come here" means with the accompanying gesture, and "milk" with the sign too. <br />Prefers mom over everyone. <br />Loves nursing and does so about 6 times a day. <br />Sleeps in the cutest positions.<br />Wears 9 month clothing. <br />Gets mad when I take my camelbak away from him. <br />Pulls everything off of shelves. <br />Always reaches for my or Danny's phone. <br />Loves "playing guitar". <br />Has the sweetest giggle. <br />Has a bazillion bruises from his constant movement. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/13/2127.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/13/s_2127.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/13/2128.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/13/s_2128.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/13/2129.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/13/s_2129.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/13/2130.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/13/s_2130.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/13/2131.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/13/s_2131.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We are so excited for his first Christmas. <br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-60299897474967338532012-12-02T21:25:00.000-07:002012-12-02T21:25:11.943-07:00thanksgiving 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">this year we had thanksgiving in seattle with danny's family. we stayed with jess and jaron in a suburb of seattle with grandma and grandpa brown. it was wonderful. we drove up (13.5 hours each way!) with danny's little brother. thankfully i only had to drive about 2, maybe 3, hours of the whole trip. james did alright. he really dislikes the dark so there was some fussing as soon as the sun started setting. he also didn't like sleeping in new places, so we all returned home pretty tired. it was so fun to have james play with his grandma and grandpa, aunt, uncles, and only cousins. mama brown is a phenomenal cook, and it was nice to have her meals to eat. for thanksgiving she made rolls, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pie, french silk pie, cheesecake, an apple/sweet potato dish, and i'm sure more things. so delicious! i sneaked james some french silk pie and he got mad when i stopped! he loved the turkey too. papa brown made a moist, moist turkey. we also spent one day downtown and went to pike place and a delicious place called ivar's for fish and chips. james got to eat some fresh clam chowder and he loved it.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">seattle is such a beautiful place. even though it is the rainy season, and it did rain almost every day, washington has such a diverse landscape. hills, lakes, bays, plains. very different from dallas, broken arrow, and utah!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">i also saw several women nursing. i rarely see moms nurse here! i loved that too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on our drive up there in his new convertible car seat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-po24OFt12ng/ULwinvsQkOI/AAAAAAAAAnk/89L8zIER4R4/s1600/IMG_3140%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-po24OFt12ng/ULwinvsQkOI/AAAAAAAAAnk/89L8zIER4R4/s320/IMG_3140%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;james also got his first fever on our trip. it got up to 102.5 but he kicked it in a day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwoFP93k2hg/ULwjB6uSQRI/AAAAAAAAAns/BlMoU7CwlXI/s1600/IMG_3171%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwoFP93k2hg/ULwjB6uSQRI/AAAAAAAAAns/BlMoU7CwlXI/s320/IMG_3171%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;grandma pushing mister around</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7TLuAmIT3w/ULwjEj5B1tI/AAAAAAAAAn0/nsYEzOJcnu8/s1600/IMG_3174%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7TLuAmIT3w/ULwjEj5B1tI/AAAAAAAAAn0/nsYEzOJcnu8/s320/IMG_3174%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;still a little under the weather</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6HsU2oeOzg/ULwjIkSSXfI/AAAAAAAAAn8/wTXMELAauIk/s1600/IMG_3179%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6HsU2oeOzg/ULwjIkSSXfI/AAAAAAAAAn8/wTXMELAauIk/s320/IMG_3179%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;eating clam chowder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKp64OHSkxM/ULwjMtWBjwI/AAAAAAAAAoE/SCIoPG5GBPo/s1600/IMG_3205%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKp64OHSkxM/ULwjMtWBjwI/AAAAAAAAAoE/SCIoPG5GBPo/s320/IMG_3205%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;at the international fountain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1ATR-Z8d_s/ULwjO25e5CI/AAAAAAAAAoM/G01eB-30wTk/s1600/IMG_3206%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1ATR-Z8d_s/ULwjO25e5CI/AAAAAAAAAoM/G01eB-30wTk/s320/IMG_3206%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;danny checking on the babe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCUWwnRWdfw/ULwjRgOtcHI/AAAAAAAAAoU/lYeocZNQRwo/s1600/IMG_3208%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCUWwnRWdfw/ULwjRgOtcHI/AAAAAAAAAoU/lYeocZNQRwo/s320/IMG_3208%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;pike place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-E2ELfEwfw/ULwjTyC6JPI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Lay9WcYnV-w/s1600/IMG_3182%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-E2ELfEwfw/ULwjTyC6JPI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Lay9WcYnV-w/s320/IMG_3182%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;hanging out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogms31ba8_4/ULwjXCvMRqI/AAAAAAAAAok/GGl-NvpK31Y/s1600/IMG_3158%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogms31ba8_4/ULwjXCvMRqI/AAAAAAAAAok/GGl-NvpK31Y/s320/IMG_3158%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;drive home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtj15Ozs-yo/ULwjbVskTqI/AAAAAAAAAos/zzOzYHjbXv0/s1600/IMG_3217%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtj15Ozs-yo/ULwjbVskTqI/AAAAAAAAAos/zzOzYHjbXv0/s320/IMG_3217%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by next thanksgiving, all of the brown siblings will be off missions and hopefully in one place! i'm really hoping we can all go to BA for christmas next year. lots of people!&nbsp;</div><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-31868275703332273892012-11-17T20:45:00.001-07:002012-11-17T20:45:16.162-07:00Growing upIn the last week or so, James has begun pulling to stand, and today he got into sitting and sort of army crawled. My heart breaks that he is growing so fast yet swells with pride at my once teeny boy growing up!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3117.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3117.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3118.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3118.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3119.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3119.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3120.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3120.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3121.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3121.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />He's also getting more teeth! Three have poked through on the top and one more is on it's way. He'll have 6 teeth in the next week or two! And he lets me know while nursing-little nips. Not cute little dude. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3122.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3122.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-2187341202979726672012-11-13T18:59:00.001-07:002012-11-13T18:59:09.876-07:00Snow baby<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/13/2385.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/13/s_2385.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/13/2386.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/13/s_2386.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/13/2387.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/13/s_2387.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/13/2388.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/13/s_2388.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I die. <br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-14670257604113486042012-10-08T14:12:00.001-06:002012-10-08T14:12:51.788-06:005 and 6 months<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/08/2273.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/08/s_2273.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Holy cow does this kid get more fun or what??? I love being his mama<br /><br />To note:<br />-we moved into a two bedroom and James has his own room now. It's been nothing short of wonderful to pile all his crap in his room. <br />-all of us sleep better. We don't wake each other up during our natural sleep cycles. <br />-James can sit alone! This doesn't encourage him to roll (yep 7 months old and doesn't roll!!) but it helps him play independently and explore more things. <br />-he babbles like crazy! Mostly "dadada" but some "nanana" sneaks in here and there. He's spitting more too haha. He loves making sounds.<br />-we offer solids 1-3 times a day, and probably average 1.5 now depending on sleep and nap schedules. He definitely loves sweet potatoes the most because that's the only thing I've found in his diapers so far!<br />-he likes being read to. I love board books. <br />-he is a great pal. We currently are a one car family so we go on walks daily. He likes our walks and hikes and adventures. <br />-we are adjusting his naps to extend waketime and improve his night time sleep. According to Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, 16% of babies his age take three naps. Well, James seems to fit in there. Awesome book btw. The author is a pediatric sleep specialist so the info is from a research base instead of from parenting "experts". <br />-James is imitating sounds and actions. <br />-he can put his binky in his mouth hallelujah. <br />-my mama, sister, grandma, aunt, and cousin came into town and James got to spend some quality time with them (as did I!). Happened to run into my cousin Heather and her daughter Jane at breakfast. <br />-we started some sleep teaching and weaning from the swaddle. <br />-we also started working on elimination communication. Very very early stages. <br />-my very favorite: when I get ready to nurse him, once he sees the boob he dive bombs himself onto it. It's hysterical and I love it. I never ever ever thought I would love nursing but it is so special to me. Especially now that he lets me nurse him sitting up!!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/08/2274.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/08/s_2274.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Question to my friends who nurse or have nursed: when did your period come back? Mine still isn't here and James has been sleeping from 8-4/5 without eating for at least one month, probably 2-3. I would have expected it to return by now. <br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-7039090688369912202012-08-27T09:44:00.001-06:002012-08-27T09:44:39.681-06:00Sitting and eatingMister is sitting! Last weekend he'd sit for 20-60 seconds. This weekend he sat for 3-5+ minutes!! He learned so quickly. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/27/1193.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/27/s_1193.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/27/1194.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/27/s_1194.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/27/1198.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/27/s_1198.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We've also started giving him some real food. He's tried sweet potato fries, avocado slices, cucumber slices, peach slices (canned and fresh), tomatoes slices, lime wedges and lemon wedges. We haven't done any purées and I'm not sure we will do a lot. There's a concept called "baby led weaning" where you let baby self feed and don't spoon feed them at all. We'll probably do some purées but it's really fun just handing him a chunk of food and letting him go for it. He's really loved everything we've tried so far! Breastmilk is supposed to be his main source of nutrition for the first year, so it isn't a big deal if he doesn't actually eat a bunch of real foods. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/27/1199.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/27/s_1199.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020223036564320426.post-29008385056131691032012-08-05T10:28:00.004-06:002012-08-05T10:28:38.824-06:00five monthsour little fatty has lived with us for 5 months now. he's around 17-18 lbs and his head is as huge as ever.<br /><br />he<br />-almost rolled<br />-tasted chipotle guac<br />-met his great aunt kara, his aunt jess and uncle jaron, and his only cousins liv, warner, and buster<br />-met his aunt amber and uncle danny<br />-went to ikea<br />-has gotten much much better at tummy time<br />-sat for 10 seconds alone<br />-will let me nurse him sitting up&nbsp;hallelujah<br />-prefers to have someone next to him in the car<br />-has played with baby hudson and baby noah more<br />-is way aware of everything and won't nap unless it is dark and quiet<br />-still won't let me talk while he eats. or anyone really<br />-re-learned how to&nbsp;squawk. holy that kid has a loud voice<br />-smiles when i say 'mama'<br />-is still in love with his feet and hands<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3bmreWO_wM/UB6e7bPEFjI/AAAAAAAAAmw/JBAhO3sQKGo/s1600/julybaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3bmreWO_wM/UB6e7bPEFjI/AAAAAAAAAmw/JBAhO3sQKGo/s400/julybaby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>we laugh all the time with him. i had no idea how fun it would be to be a mommy but i love all of it. and danny loves being a dad too.<br /><br />coming soon-family pics!<br /><br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013958706151502158noreply@blogger.com2